[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6263751,"mediaKeyId","3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277","parentId",3101877,"title","UAB receives updates: dryer study, disconnects, groundwater report, safety awards and rate case","audioSeconds",217,"startMs",2414000,"endMs",2631000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277&start=2414&end=2631","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277/thumbnail_2414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263751/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/UAB-receives-updates-dryer-study-disconnects-groundwater-report-safety-awards-and-rate-case","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263751-bdd01206ffbde3f517ab6d0177e60ca9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578993&Signature=ROHbtjNmVgNvIN4Vnopfw5B7lLWcV9VQt5FZJke0Tt-1v2HV9weHVGR758xABtHHVp8IXuW78QYEOUdSSTF4MHrDLmEUDR2NrS9ryCbet4toeSBLKrjXYfypd9MlDrGreRaKXNaQA5c6fJEPVzurJ6rRJlQMCXEDYy5Qi1RkCyLVBQF29mQb4TaOchEOMEnsiNsc71fsTNw7FESEzIHqFjf1S51h0JHJmzUKFtGtXF8rOBDFpSeoHux6KoK0CHv7lnCs0wVEfHYbUquV3pFC8Lg50ze-uByxI9coVQCDnjte-WZPas~bxAHkxvaZ~Shl-qu0yV5Hkj4Q2hhrjs1Srw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of River Falls, WI","date","2025-04-22T12:44:04Z","article","Utility staff used the April 21 UAB meeting to present a broad set of operational updates and recent achievements.

West Central Biosolids and dryer study: Staff said the West Central Wisconsin Biosolids group has undertaken further studies about dryer needs and that the remaining member communities hired Strand & Associates to update a facilities plan covering 5-, 10- and 20-year scenarios. Staff noted the city previously paid Donahue and Associates about $33,000 for a dryer study and said the new Strand study will help remaining partners decide whether to stay in the regional program.

Customer outreach and disconnects: Staff said a recent disconnection moratorium had just ended and that, as of the meeting, about 31 shutoff notices remained outstanding; staff said customer-service representatives arranged about 95 payment arrangements the prior week. Staff described the utility’s active outreach and use of AMI (automated metering) to manage disconnects and payment plans.

Water resources and consumer confidence: Staff pointed to a recently posted Groundwater Availability Evaluation Report on the city website; presenters summarized the report as indicating River Falls draws from three distinct aquifers, that current water availability is steady, and that no PFAS had been detected in the system at the time of the report. Staff also noted the annual Consumer Confidence Report (water quality) is on the website and will be included in a May bill insert.

Safety and reliability awards: Staff announced the electric crew earned the American Public Power Association Diamond Safety Award and said benchmarking data shows River Falls’ average customer outage time is approximately 13 minutes annually versus a national average of about 149 minutes. Staff attributed the low outage time to targeted cable replacement (CIP), quick response, and system investments.

Rates, staffing and certifications: Staff said the Public Service Commission-approved electric rate case will increase total utility revenue by about 3.73% overall, with an average residential bill rising about 5.4% (the example cited: a 750 kWh customer from $102.90 to roughly $108.28). Staff announced recent personnel certifications and hires: a lineman (Cody Krieger) completed his apprenticeship and became a journeyman; the city hired an apprentice, Zach Kitchenmeister; and wastewater and water operators passed advanced certifications (Tim Ricksman and David Panetta scored 92 and 98, respectively) and others passed groundwater/distribution exams.

Appointments and events: Staff said Mayor Tolan will reappoint Chris Lick to the UAB and reappoint Mark Lecker at an upcoming meeting. Staff listed outreach and calendar items including Drinking Water Week and Public Power Week in May, and a late-May spring cleanup event. Staff encouraged public confidence by noting the consumer confidence report and groundwater availability evaluation document are posted on the city website.

Board members asked clarifying questions during the update about contractor oversight, cost recovery for dryer planning, and contingency plans for large-scale outages; staff said the city maintains rental agreements with equipment providers and that on-call crews respond to emergencies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","River Falls Utility Advisory Board 4/21/25","oneSentenceSummary","Staff provided the Utility Advisory Board a multi-item update covering a regional dryer-study and facilities plan, customer disconnects and payment arrangements, water reports, safety and reliability awards, the recent electric rate case, staffing changes and certifications.","taxTitle","River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin","taxId",69651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263756,"UAB approves 2025 directional boring contract; West Division alternate to be paid from electric utility cash",709,1697000,2406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277&start=1697&end=2406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277/thumbnail_1697000.jpg","/articles/6263756/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/UAB-approves-2025-directional-boring-contract-West-Division-alternate-to-be-paid-from-electric-utility-cash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263756-072fe34c7b7974bf6ece42123df7851e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578993&Signature=NlO1ZCe5E2VzUqSJHpOXY51rchR-I4wl5geaw595OsAIYbx8K91xCm1EgJUAg--bgBWdp7j91DtJ71FjNtmSC94LqNVVkozu9C3aT0OTQJr8Zq0-1Kuwy2l7lIX9uDudp9DswIEzk4vdwqGNLUaCNb-JdafUgU7nHw~kbaTo-frYdTua4NeZNFRu7NK17J2AbPURFD-eFHv0iIGPU-ZhcXua42wBpNLVrLV5HgSrPv-sjyMOyADXOgpit~DLUrwGqTos830rSGD9~ZKxXueUht3NxZ8t4obqeeRaabjEu4C2E2aiB1kY1zfkR2KlTfl68t9BfdRTTfGSPIEcT36neg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utility Advisory Board approved the 2025 directional boring contract and an alternate bid to add an additional 600-amp circuit along West Division Street.

Wayne Seiberling, the city’s electric superintendent, presented maps showing multiple small-area boring locations across the city. Wayne said the program replaces aging primary and secondary underground cable — in some neighborhoods the cable dates to the 1970s and 1980s — and that boring is less disruptive to yards and mature neighborhoods than open trenching.

Wayne said the alternate for West Division Street would provide an additional 600-amp circuit that could serve new development in the Man Valley area or tie into a future substation. Finance director Josh Schollinger told the board the $139,141 cost for that alternate would be paid from electric utility cash and that the city has already purchased the cable for that circuit.

Staff also said the city received strong interest in bids this year, with more than a dozen firms contacting the city and multiple companies submitting proposals. Board members and staff noted that directional boring and sewer-lining services have become more widely available in recent years, increasing competition and improving pricing.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote; staff said the work is part of ongoing CIP efforts to reduce outages and modernize underground electric infrastructure.","The UAB approved a contract for the 2025 directional boring program, including an alternate bid to extend a 600-amp circuit on West Division Street. Wayne Seiberling, electric superintendent, said the work replaces aging underground cable and reduces outages; the West Division alternate (about $139,141) will be covered with electric utility cash.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263761,"UAB approves purchase of portable generator for Well 4; transfer switch wiring cost noted",754,930000,1684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277&start=930&end=1684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277/thumbnail_930000.jpg","/articles/6263761/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/UAB-approves-purchase-of-portable-generator-for-Well-4-transfer-switch-wiring-cost-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263761-70afd26d2a21b0b4f1fb43adf01188f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578993&Signature=Spvw9y3xVQK8gzb3GP4GqFR2~9NviZ4EB1jxSjXxxSaQ0lO1Usv5H-QaQFlys7AkMqNqEWiYUpdaXX7O49zqUBZUhjNgMxNTp7LYQ1cADHsEsiBzoWTz-9H50BJVantu3Fpp1ToB5dCtNdfgJbIFlduBcRy5GRwaLitl6p2c2~G7WLZgTexdFByiDJfbhnZBxO-KVtrutNhE2LA0~WIF3dLNCGvsPp9twdly2hzgg~FV34oqp7~cWgMjBNdhG7ntyin6qsPRT0H0C3Y3sbEhVRdHW3j~tM-eVBnha~YroKwohMMnPw~f6HC87bBWhI9CAvnvwOFX~VUnDyDaLEltxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utility Advisory Board approved a resolution to purchase a portable generator intended for Well 4, which staff said can be moved to lift stations and other city utility locations during extended power outages.

Dean, a utilities staff member, told the board the existing well generator dates to the 1940s and that it still runs on monthly tests but is increasingly difficult to maintain because parts are scarce. “We’re on eBay looking for parts,” he said in the presentation, underscoring the age and serviceability issues.

Staff described the new unit as portable so the city can move it among wells and lift stations as operational needs dictate. The board heard that installing a permanent, hard-mounted generator on site would be costlier and less flexible than buying a portable unit that can serve multiple needs.

Staff told members that wiring and a transfer switch for Well 4 are separate costs not included in the generator bid; the transfer switch and associated wiring were estimated at $7,500–$8,000 and would be funded as an operating expense from the utilities’ budget. Staff said they expect to install the transfer switch before ordering the generator and that rental agreements are in place with equipment vendors for emergencies.

Board members asked about after-hours logistics and staffing for moving and connecting a portable unit; staff said on-call crews respond and the city has rental agreements with equipment providers in emergencies. The board approved the resolution by voice vote.

The presentation also noted that staff considered an alternate vendor quote that was roughly $15,000 higher and that some cables for multiple plug configurations are required; staff said they had quotes for different cable types and will procure what is needed.","The board approved buying a portable generator for Well 4 to provide flexible emergency power for wells and lift stations. Staff said the transfer switch and wiring, estimated at $7,500–$8,000, were not included in the generator quote and will be paid from operating funds; the older on-site generator is nearly 80 years old and parts are scarce.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263766,"UAB approves Monarch Paving contract to repave wastewater treatment plant parking lot",830,92000,922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277&start=92&end=922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101877-3512ab9dbc8cf5eb0b2842816bd0c277/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6263766/River-Falls/Pierce-County/Wisconsin/UAB-approves-Monarch-Paving-contract-to-repave-wastewater-treatment-plant-parking-lot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263766-0a86341e6219ad3504c05a36adbaef6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578993&Signature=ntDzqNvIzgneVSamVlX2L~rch9S-tCDXJQUX5nLXuYom029U0ONxZwJkLPZzjw3p0gAO8DZ5a5XJ7gyM-i9MHIdZ~9Rc7BsXWO3~xcFlHmv15qWu8h3gzGfL7M~xIdZd6ltKt0d6fRsw6KSDYLc6WSySTp7aC15VA2FCN7YyKlUbfmkpDfKmRl2VUW8SDxos8rnKZGguvzilav5lUNK531u30m2yaA~cnglNgHHAVlF3Bk4ccvqknBc0osoesWhDxxGpLXF4C6n3czX9wPutpyiC0DY8HUwzya58jRMae6Fplcdu1aL0Esa7uw1BbPHl9Xad6u9NyCITwNeNirSPaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The River Falls Utility Advisory Board voted to award Monarch Paving Company the contract to restore and pave the wastewater treatment facility parking lot, passing a resolution by voice vote.

Board members approved the award during the April 21 UAB meeting after staff described two bidding options and engineering guidance on pavement depth. The chosen scope calls for a 3.5-inch asphalt lift, which staff said is sufficient because the heavy sludge-hauling truck traffic that previously used the site will cease after completion of the dryer project. Staff said the thinner lift will reduce cost by about $31,000 compared with a 4.5-inch lift.

Dean, a utilities staff member presenting the contractor materials, showed drone footage of the site and said, “As you can see, it’s quite wore out. Most a lot of places, the the pavement is basically gone. It’s been graveled and patched.” He summarized two contract options presented to the board and identified the parcel of recently repaved pavement near the DAF building that staff recommended excluding from the work.

Kevin, a staff speaker who led the discussion, and other members discussed cost and timing. Staff said public works crews will remove existing concrete and asphalt as a cost-saving measure rather than contracting that work out. Staff also said the city will buy seal coat and apply it in-house to a portion of the area not included in the paving contract.

Board members noted that Monarch has been the frequent bidder — and often the only bidder — on the city’s larger asphalt contracts in recent years. Staff responded that retaining Monarch while they are on site would avoid additional mobilization and setup costs from a separate contractor.

The board’s motion to approve the resolution passed by voice vote. The record shows an affirmative voice vote and the chair declared the motion passed; no roll-call tally with named votes was read into the minutes.

The city indicated paving will be coordinated with the dryer project so that paving occurs when heavy construction traffic has ended; staff also said an additional stretch of road to Oak Hill will be paved next year as part of future work.","The Utility Advisory Board approved a resolution awarding Monarch Paving Company work to restore and pave the River Falls wastewater treatment facility parking lot. The board approved a 3.5-inch asphalt lift based on reduced heavy-truck traffic after the dryer project, and staff will perform some preparatory and seal-coating work to reduce costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

UAB receives updates: dryer study, disconnects, groundwater report, safety awards and rate case

UAB approves 2025 directional boring contract; West Division alternate to be paid from electric utility cash

UAB approves purchase of portable generator for Well 4; transfer switch wiring cost noted

UAB approves Monarch Paving contract to repave wastewater treatment plant parking lot